登陆注册
5245500000028

第28章 CHAPTER V THE NEW PRESIDENT(5)

Charleston, with its steepled churches, its quaint houses, and its masses of foliage, much of it in full flower, seemed more attractive than ever to Harry. The city preserved its gay and light tone. It was crowded with people. All the rich planters were there. Society had never been more brilliant than during those tense weeks on the eve of men knew not what. But the Charlestonians were sure of one fact, the most important of all, that everything was going well. Texas had joined the great group of the South, and while the border states still hung back, they would surely join.

Harry found that the batteries and earthworks had increased in size and number, forming a formidable circle about the black mass of Sumter, above which the defiant flag still swung in the wind. The guards were distributed among the batteries, but St. Clair, Langdon, and Harry remained together. Toutant Beauregard, after having resigned the command at West Point, as the Southern leaders had expected, came to Charleston and took supreme command there. Harry saw him as he inspected the batteries, a small, dark man, French in look, as he was French in descent, full of nervous energy and vitality. He spoke approving words of all that had been done, and Harry, St. Clair and Tom, glowed with enthusiasm.

"Didn't I tell you that everything would come just right!" exclaimed Happy Tom. "We're the boys to do things. I heard today that they were preparing a big fleet in the North to relieve Sumter, but no matter how big it is, it won't be able to get into Charleston harbor. Will it, old fellow?"He addressed his remarks to one of the great guns, and he patted the long, polished barrel. Harry agreed with him that Charleston harbor could be held inviolate. He did not believe that ships would have much chance against heavy cannon in earthworks.

He was back in Charleston several days before he had a chance to go to Madame Delaunay's. She was unfeignedly glad to see him, but Harry saw that she had lost some of her bright spirits.

"Colonel Talbot tells me," she said, "that mighty forces are gathering, and I am afraid, I am afraid for all the thousands of gallant boys like you, Harry."But Harry had little fear for himself. Why should he, when the Southern cause was moving forward so smoothly? They heard a day or two later that the rail-splitter, Lincoln, had been duly inaugurated President of what remained of the old Union, although he had gone to Washington at an unexpected hour, and partly in disguise. On the same day the Confederacy adopted the famous flag of the Stars and Bars, and Harry and his friends were soon singing in unison and with fiery enthusiasm:

"Hurrah! Hurrah! for Southern rights, hurrah!

Hurrah for the bonnie blue flag that bears a single star!"The spring deepened and with it the tension and excitement. The warm winds from the South blew over Charleston, eternally keen with the odor of rose and orange blossom. The bay moved gently, a molten mass now blue, now green. The blue figures could be seen now and then on the black walls of Sumter, but the fortress was silent, although the muzzles of its guns always threatened.

Harry received several letters from his father. The latest stated that he might want him to return, but he was not needed yet. The state had proved more stubborn than he and his friends had expected. A powerful Union element had been disclosed, and there would be an obstinate fight at Frankfort over the question of going out. He would let him know when to come.

Harry was perhaps less surprised than his father over the conflict of opinion in Kentucky, but his thoughts soon slipped from it, returning to his absorption in the great and thrilling drama in Charleston, which was passing before his eyes, and of which he was a part.

April came, and the glory of the spring deepened. The winds blowing from the soft shores of the Gulf grew heavier with the odors of blossom and flower. But Charleston thrilled continually with excitement.

Fort after fort was seized by the Southerners, almost without opposition and wholly without the shedding of blood. It seemed that the stars in their courses fought for the South, or at least it seemed so to the youthful Harry and his comrades.

"Didn't I tell you everything would come as we wished it?" said the sanguine Langdon. "Abe Lincoln may be the best rail-splitter that ever was, but I fancy he isn't such a terrible fighter.""Let's wait and see," said Harry, with the impression of Shepard's warning words still strong upon him.

His caution was not in vain. That day the rulers of Charleston received a message from Abraham Lincoln that Sumter would be revictualled, whether Charleston consented or not. The news was spread instantly through the city and fire sprang up in the South Carolina heart.

The population, increased far beyond its normal numbers by the influx from the country, talked of nothing else. Beauregard was everywhere giving quick, nervous orders, and always strengthening the already powerful batteries that threatened Sumter.

同类推荐
  • 始终心要注

    始终心要注

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 佛说出生一切如来法眼遍照大力明王经

    佛说出生一切如来法眼遍照大力明王经

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 贤媛

    贤媛

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 杂纂续

    杂纂续

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 太上老君说常清静经注

    太上老君说常清静经注

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
热门推荐
  • 倒霉神探系列:参精竹妖

    倒霉神探系列:参精竹妖

    三十多年前,在盛产竹子的几处地点,出现过哀嚎的神秘事件。拥有亚洲大半商权的“药王”,心中有一个沉睡多年的谜:他在幼年时曾经在长白山深处偶遇千年的人参精怪:“参童”。几十年后临到生命尽头,药王决定回长白山一探究竟,想再见到多年前的精怪旧友。在警察总处的逼迫下,冷剑伦无奈的加入这一支奇异的长白山旅队,几经波折后,一行人终于到达目的地,而真正的阴谋方于此时揭开序幕:多年前来犯地球的竹星人,竟想再一次“引人入侵”......
  • 枫月启世录

    枫月启世录

    【“小墨,咱这就穿越了?”“不然你以为呢?”“好没有真实感啊”“怎么着?还得锣鼓喧天的夹道欢迎?”“呃,那还是算了吧”】墨家传承与魔法文明的碰撞,异界科技与现代机械的融合;墨家传人林沐梵魂穿异世,到底会折腾出怎样的一番伟业?让我们拭目以待...
  • 魔桶

    魔桶

    《魔桶》收录了马拉默德的十三个短篇故事,地点有纽约也有罗马。他以强烈的城市现实主义色彩融合意第绪谚语和少许艺术魔力,诉说着鞋匠、鸡蛋对光检查员、媒人等小人物的生活。主题承袭了一贯的失败、挫折、疲惫、孤独、衰老等元素。这是一份可悲的清单,然而每个故事都带上了充满讽刺意味的幽默感和果敢的幻想。作者伯纳德·马拉默德曾获两次美国全国图书奖、普利策奖、罗森塔尔奖等奖项。该书获得美国国家图书奖和普利策奖等奖项。
  • 辕唐飞将传

    辕唐飞将传

    神君何在,太一安有?天东有若木,下置衔烛龙。吾将斩龙足,嚼龙肉,使之朝不得回夜不得伏。自然老者不死,少者不哭。(别问,问就是年更。)
  • 大军事家的故事(古今中外英雄伟人故事系列)

    大军事家的故事(古今中外英雄伟人故事系列)

    战争,也许是人类历史上变幻莫测的一种现象。正因如此,那些在战争中用兵如神的大军事家便令人惊叹和折服。他们的性格特点与战斗故事被人久久传诵。
  • 索玛花开

    索玛花开

    大凉山深处的彝族女教师尔古尔哈在一所乡村小学任教,却在风华正茂的年纪遭遇一系列打击,丈夫去世、学校撤销、婆婆重病、孩子面临辍学……她不得不负起整个家庭的生活,背井离乡,到南方某大都市打工。在异乡,尔古尔哈忍受着生活的不便和对家乡的思念,努力拼搏,做手工、扛水泥,希望婆婆和孩子能过上好日子。但随即婆婆病危和女儿受伤,让她的精神几乎崩溃。在这样的情况下,尔古尔哈凭着自己心中的信念和对生活的憧憬,咬着牙齿面对一件件闹心的事情和生活的难关。终于,她凭借自己的坚强和善良,在一群真正的朋友的帮助下,终于在南方创出了一片天,成为生活的强者。
  • 不洗内裤的保姆

    不洗内裤的保姆

    冬梅因不给主妇洗内裤跟主妇吵了起来,于是一甩手走人了,炒了主妇的鱿鱼。冬梅是保姆。这家的主妇叫赵娜,是某家医院的护士长。冬梅是她二姨花卉介绍给赵娜做保姆的。花卉和赵娜是老同学,冬梅来城里打工也是花卉的主意。冬梅和赵娜见面那天,花卉就和赵娜说好了,按冬梅老家的习俗,冬梅不能给主妇洗内裤,若洗就会一辈子不生孩子,不吉利。
  • 重生之不朽帝君

    重生之不朽帝君

    【玄幻神作,火爆追读】一梦千年,重生少年!铸最强根基,威震九霄,横扫诸天!帝小贱书友群:229719460欢迎大家加入。
  • 贞观第一婿

    贞观第一婿

    刘如玉第一次参加沙漠考古,就遇上了沙尘暴,结果很悲催,穿越了。打听清楚了朝代,是大唐贞观年间哦!接受这个事实后,他只想在这贞观之治下安安稳稳过个小日子。可谁想到,他太优秀了,各路老大都想招他为婿。“来人呐,把刘如玉给朕绑来,敢不娶朕的公主,简直活腻歪了。”这是李世民。“如玉小郎君,我们五姓七望女个个温雅贤淑,你相中哪个,随便挑。什么?你有妻子,没事,我家女儿做妾就行,要知道李老二想和我们联姻,我们都没答应呢”这是世家大族。“来人呐,把咱如玉姑爷绑回去,大当家的在寨子等急了!”这是某土匪头子。……罢了,罢了,来多少咱就收多少,谁让咱是贞观第一婿呢!
  • 旅人长吉

    旅人长吉

    英雄们在布满荆棘的长路上踏入命运的战场,生活在神话中的生灵披着破碎的霞光回归,世界逐步走向死亡的终结。但此时此刻,阳光还明朗灿烂,年轻的旅人正亲眼目睹着那些瑰丽的瞬间。(本书慢热,但后面会很精彩)